Gone camping recently? Going camping? We love camping as a family, it’s a great way to rest, recharge and have some fun together! These camping crafts for kids are the perfect way to keep that excitement going and with ideas including making tents, campfires and lanterns there’s plenty to keep the kids busy.
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Camping Crafts for Kids
I think that most parents want to nurture their kids love of the great outdoors and camping is such a fun way to do it, what could be a better way to get close to nature than staying out in it!
Whether you’re camping at home or planning on getting a way for a while it’s great if you can extend their interest with some easy camping crafts.
Today I’m sharing ideas for camping crafts for toddlers right up to ideas for big kids so if you have a mixed age group at home you should be able to find something everyone will enjoy. We love the painted rocks for older kids while the paint splat campfire is perfect for little ones.
Just so you are aware, this is an old post that I’ve updated as we’ve shared more camping arts and crafts ideas. I’m hoping that I’ll continue to update this over the years as we share even more activities.
Our Camping Essentials
We’ve been camping every year with our children since our son was three and our daughter wasn’t quite yet one with trips lasting between one night and three weeks.
Every year I feel like we’ve discovered a couple more things to make life a bit easier and bit more enjoyable – of course camping IS easy and enjoyable but we quickly discovered that camping with kids is a lot different to camping with just adults!
If you are planning on taking a trip this year then my favourite purchase of the last couple of years is a camping toilet* because walking across a wet field in the dark at 11pm (and 3am… and 6am) is no one’s friend. We have the most basic ‘bucket with seat’ style one we could find.
We also take lots of games which are good for some quiet time before bed – my kids love Llamas in Pyjamas*, uno* and Shopping List* and for keeping warm if you have an airbed*we use space blankets* underneath and fleece blankets* on top.
Free Camping Activity Sheets
Want to keep your kids entertained on your next camping trip? Grab our free camping activity sheets with six pages of activities.
Camping Crafts
You’ll find all these great ideas in the order that they appear in the collage below, there’s lots of really fun ideas in this round up so make sure you take a good look through the list! If you’re staying at home we’ve also got lots of camping at home ideas for kids you could check out too!
Love these fun camping ideas? Make sure that you bookmark this page or pin an image so that you have all this great inspiration to hand when you need it.
This mini camping set craft from Artsy Craftsy Mom is super sweet and would be great for playing with small toys who fancy a tiny holiday!
Why not make a teepee for some toys following this tutorial , there’s a free template to help you too.
Binoculars are a great way to hunt for birds, minibeasts and clouds when you’re camping and these DIY craft binoculars from Buggy and Buddy have to be one of the cutest out there.
Raid your kitchen cupboards for some foil to make this simple campfire craft that’s perfect for younger children.
These camping story stones from Crafts on Sea are great for encouraging some creative writing but they’d also work well just as a fun creative project, particularly if your kids enjoy rock hiding and hunting.
Gone camping craft from Simply Learning Kids, I love this way this craft can be personalised to add your kids!
Everyone has cupcake liners somewhere in the back of a cupboard and this cupcake liner campfire craft from I Heart Crafty Things is the perfect way to use them up.
This easy campfire craft with it’s sponge printed flames would be easy enough for young kids to make too.
Grab a paper plate and make this easy paint splat campfire craft for kids
This DIY lantern craft from Kids Craft Room will be great for when you’re all out in the evenings.
This campfire craft from No Time For Flashcards is perfect for pretend play
My daughter would love this campfire craft that’s designed for dolls to have their own cookout from There’s Just One Mommy.
Buggy and Buddy share a campfire craft that really glows!
I love the way The Craft Train uses toys to create a camping small world
My kids have yet to try smores due to the whole living in the UK issue, they look amazing though! Pre-K pages has some pretend smores that are perfect for dramatic play (or kids like mine that can’t get hold of the real things!)
Fun Handprint Art has a super cute handprint campfire craft and a little song to sing while you make it too.
Explore your campsite and look for leaves or flowers which have fallen off the plants so you can make this nature tree craft.
Camping at home? Why not make some DIY birdfeeders together to encourage wildlife to visit your ‘campsite’.
Pre-K pages shares some campfire process art that’s super easy for kids to make.
Listening out for creatures in the night? These bark owls from Fireflies and Mudpies are a great nature craft to make.
More Crafts for Kids
Want more inspiration? We love this sun craft which is perfect for the summer.
Or for more fun with painted rocks how about these ocean themed story stones.
Finally this frozen flowers sensory play idea is always popular and perfect for keeping the kids entertained on cooler days.
Fantastic idea!! My family lover of traveling and camping. In the winter we spent few days but summer is always great for camping. life is easy and you can enjoy every bit of life.